Rabbits Chew Wires of Cars Parked at International Airport

Rabbits rabidly prefer chewing the wires of cars parked at an international airport over munching on grass, supposedly — and vehicle owners apparently are not laughing at the funny bunny business at all.

While you might naturally and initially think that O’Hare International Airport near Chicago would be the ideal place for this bizarre occurrence to repeatedly happen, it is actually a problem at Denver International Airport. I was about to write that the airport is located near Denver, but those who have actually used the airport know better than that, as the airport is located approximately 25 miles east of Denver in what could appear to be the middle of nowhere, where there does not seem to be much on which a growing rabbit can chew.

Wires damaged by these seemingly voracious vermin include — but are not limited to — clutch lines, wires which control air conditioning units, and brake lines.

The following video is a report on this problem — which has apparently been ongoing since at least 1999, when the long-eared fluffy-tailed tan-colored mammals reportedly munched on the wires of de-icing equipment before turning their attention to the wires of private vehicles — courtesy of KCNC-TV News, an affiliate of the CBS television network broadcasting on channel 4 in Denver:

The furry rodents — which some people might consider adorable and cute — are anything but that to vehicle owners who park at the airport in order to travel via airplane as passengers. The motorists return to their cars at airport parking lots — both public and privately owned — to find hundreds of dollars worth of damage inflicted upon their vehicles.

Rabbits are considered to be harmless, lovable pets to many people. However, I remember years ago a black rabbit owned by someone else which used to growl and lunge at people. When it was in its open cardboard box with no top, it would appear innocent as it silently sat and wiggled its nose while minding its own business. Go to pet it, however, and Psycho Rabbit would growl while darting for the hand. When it was outside of its box, it would chase the ankles of fleeing people as they ran across the room from it. When it was shaken off and pushed away after catching the sock or pant leg of someone, it simply chased all over again. Timid it was not.

The story of that rabbit has been embedded with the status of folklore in the brains of those affected by it — including myself. What a strange rabbit that was…perhaps it was traumatized by a previous owner?

There are apparently no signs, warnings or other indications at the parking lots at and near the airport of this unusual danger to vehicles. Then again, complaints reporting this activity are apparently few in number. Agents of the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services reportedly patrol the parking lots and remove rabbits when they see them — although it is not known what is the fate of those rabbits once removed.

Another method to mitigate this hare-y situation is by using extra fencing and coyote urine to repel the ravenous rabbits.

Perhaps Denver International Airport should consider a promotion of offering a free rabbit to every passenger who wants one for a pet — although I know of some people who would probably offer a gastronomic solution to this problem…

…or were these rabbits specially trained by automobile mechanics to increase business?

Regardless, I am certain that men who own cars affected by this situation will favor a program for hare loss.